Denis and Ann’s garden in Birdwell.
Ashley Ball visits a retired couple who have reached a state contentment with their garden…
Denis and Ann Waller’s garden in Birdwell has three distinctive parts.
The couple have contained their garden cleverly with soft hedging all around which has even extended to a beautiful ivy coating for their shed.
To the left of the garden is a pond, a treasured home to newts, and through the pergola is a ‘secret garden’ with a distinct Japanese vibe.
It once served as a hidey place for the couple’s grandchildren and you can quickly imagine how it served as a mystical and fun place for them.
The lawns and edging around the borders is immaculate and adds to the neatness.
Out into the centre of the garden you have an island bed which maintains the charm of the land of the rising sun thanks to two acers.
Both have the wonderfully tactile foliage to draw you in and Denis’s topiary has also been effective with long and slender conifers, a feature in several locations, also doing a fine job of drawing the eye.
“I cut the lawn and trim the edges, all the heavy work,” laughs Denis, a former project manager for British Oxygen Company.
“The island in the middle was all green originally but I think adding a bit of colour and different shapes has helped.”
The garden’s other main feature sees produce grown with two apple trees alongside rhubarb and herbs.
Ann, who worked in sales for the Co-op, said: “I like anything that looks interesting.
“Everything seems to be doing well this year and it seems relatively easy to maintain.
“In the winter, the centrepiece is a picture and the birds can still get in and feed.”
At the height of summer, the garden must surely be looking at its best?
Ann cannot confirm.
She added: “I enjoy the garden all the way through the year.
“I love the sound of running water from the fountain.
“The baking apples I use and the rhubarb and Denis will start planting beetroot soon.
“To me it’s as good as it can get, I think.
“I plant all different stuff anyway through the year but I am happy with it. I think it’s a lovely garden.”
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